US: Cameron Crowe to produce BMG's new documentary on the life & times of music icon David Crosby

BMG is proud to announce acclaimed Academy Award winning filmmaker Cameron Crowe, in partnership with his production company Vinyl Films, has signed a deal with BMG to produce an upcoming documentary on the life and times of David Crosby. It is the first documentary about Crosby to be fully authorized by the artist. BMG is both financier and executive producer of the film, with all rights available worldwide.

Currently in production, the as yet untitled film will be an inspirational, revealing and deeply personal documentary exploring the life and creative renaissance of David Crosby. The film is helmed by first time feature-doc director A.J. Eaton, who has been following Crosby for the past few years. In addition to Crowe, the documentary is produced by Michele Farinola for PCH Films and Greg Mariotti for Vinyl Films. Executive producers include Justus Haerder and Kathy Rivkin-Daum for BMG, Jill Mazursky, Norm Waitt and James Keach for PCH Films. The film will be edited by Elisa Bonora, ACE.

In 2017, BMG released David Crosby’s acclaimed new studio album Sky Trails. His third album of original material in four years, the fearless folk rock legend continues his resurgence, reinvigorated by the stellar musicians with which he’s surrounded himself. Backed on the album by the Sky Trails musicians, Sky Trails features Crosby and his nine-piece band taking a new musical direction and features Crosby’s son, multi-instrumentalist James Raymond, who also produced the album.

In addition to producing this documentary, Cameron Crowe has conducted multiple interviews with David Crosby that will cast a new light on the artist. Crowe previously wrote and directed the musical documentaries Pearl Jam Twenty (PJ20) and The Union, a making of featuring the collaboration between Elton John and Leon Russell.

Said Crowe, "It’s just such a compelling story. David Crosby has been near the forefront of music and social change for the last four decades. Now 76, he’s forging a new path by seeking out younger musicians and trying to make a mark in a world now so different from the generation he came to define in the 60’s. It’s a raw and moving portrait, rough edges and all. We’re also so proud of the work being done by our wonderful director A.J. Eaton who’s been filming Croz for the last several years."

Working since 2014 to advance BMG’s move into developing and financing music-related film and TV content, BMG SVP, Justus Haerder leads a four-person team including Director, Audiovisual, Kathy Rivkin-Daum and Senior Manager, Audiovisual, William Kennedy, based in Los Angeles, and SVP, Audiovisual, Joe Thomas based in Chicago. The team is also supported by longtime industry veteran Bob Frank.

Said Haerder, “Cameron is the perfect complement to Crosby, A.J., and our entire team. There’s an incredible story to be told here and we are thrilled to have him on board helping bring such an insightful film to life.”

The scope of BMG’s new business unit includes everything from feature-length documentaries to narrative features, concerts, scripted and unscripted series, both long and short-form.

BMG’s first feature-length documentary, Bad Reputation, a film on Joan Jett, made its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January to rave reviews and was recently acquired by Magnolia Pictures. Additional BMG films slated to debut in 2018 include:

The Show’s The Thing (working title) - A documentary about the legendary promoters and agents who built the rock concert touring business. From a “wild west” culture in the ‘60s to a corporate take-over in the ‘90s, this story celebrates a little-known chapter of rock history. Executive Producers David Simone, Steve Martin and Winston Simone. Directed by Molly Bernstein and Philip Dolin.

The Children of The Revolution - A documentary film celebrating the music of T. Rex with a behind-the-scenes immersion into the making of a new album featuring Marc Bolan's songs. Produced by Bill Curbishley and Ethan Silverman.

Rudeboy: The Story of Trojan Records - A celebration of the music, history and cultural legacy of the pioneering British record label instrumental in introducing ska, rocksteady and reggae to a global audience (Jimmy Cliff, Toots And The Maytals, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry’s The Upsetters) to coincide with the 50th Anniversary of Trojan Records, whose catalogue is owned by BMG. Produced by Pulse Films and directed by Nicolas Jack Davies.